Find out all the events going on in your community, and plan your week's activities with The Times.
To get listed in the calendar, contact Porter County community coordinator Annette Arnold.
E-mail: aarnold@nwitimes.com.
Fax: (219) 465-7298.
Address: 1111 Glendale Blvd., Valparaiso IN 46383
Questions? Call (219) 548-4359.
Thursday
CHILI DINNER | South Haven
South Haven Lions Club will hold a chili dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. March 11 at American Legion Post 502, 429 W. County Road 750 North. Cost is $6 for adults and $3 for ages 9 and younger.Proceeds will go to Gabriel's Horn Homeless Shelter and Portage Rebuilding Together.
FYI: Call (219) 759-2865.
Saturday
ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES | Porter County
Mental Health America of Porter County is accepting applications from antique and collectibles dealers interested in securing booth space at the annual Antique and Collectible show set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 13 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 14 at the Porter County Expo Center at State Road 49 and Division Road .Proceeds from the show will benefit the many programs and services of Mental Health America of Porter County a nonprofit organization promoting mental wellness in our community through advocacy, education, resource and support services.
FYI: Call (219) 462-6267 or e-mail mmhodson@verizon.net
MONTHLY MEETING | Chesterton
The Duneland Weaver's Guild will meet at 10 a.m. March 13 at the Westchester Public Library, 100 W. Indiana St. Ellen Grenier will talk about tri-axial weaving, followed by a workshop from 1 to 4 p.m. Cost of program is $10.
FYI: Call (219) 464-0194.
March 19
HEALTH SCREENINGS | South Haven
Blood pressure and blood sugar screenings are from 10 a.m. to noon March 19 at the South Haven Library, 403 W. County Road 700 North. Porter's Community Wellness will conduct the free screenings; no appointment necessary.
FYI: Call (219) 759-4474.
March 20
OIL PAINTING | Portage
an all day beginning oil painting class, taught by Susan Young is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 20 at the Portage Public Library, 2665 Irving St. The project is a spring flower with a watering can.Registration and payment of $55 is requested.
FYI: Call (219) 763-1508.
March 23
HEALTH CARE | Chesterton
A free seminar for small business owners, individuals, families and the self-employed will begin at 5:30 p.m. March 23 at 1st Source Bank, 800 Indian Boundary Road. This will be presented by Insphere Insurance Solutions and 1st Source Bank. Call to reserve a spot.
FYI: Call (219) 246-7369.
March 27
BITS AND BYTES | Chesterton
"Bits and Bytes" will continue fro 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 27 at Westchester Public Library, with "Computer Basics 1." Attendees will meet in the Bertha Wood meeting room on the second floor of Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Ave. The class is free, but registration is required as computer stations are limited to 15.
The class is a beginner’s entry level class that will introduce the user to the computer. Attendees will learn how to handle the mouse, the difference between hardware and software, programs that are available and desktop shortcuts. Additional features will also be discussed and demonstrated.
A waiting list will be maintained for an additional class should there be a need.
FYI: Call (219) 926-7696, ext. 25.
EASTER EGG HUNT | Kouts
The See It To Be It Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing services for
special needs families, will host an Easter Egg Hunt from 10:30 a.m. to noon March 27 at First
Presbyterian Church, 195 E. County Road 700 South. This is for special needs children
up to age 18. The hunt will feature
raffles for free Easter baskets, a visit from the Easter Bunny, and prizes for golden eggs.
Due to space limitations, pre-registration is required.
FYI: Call (219) 766-2467.
April 17
VIDEO TRICKS CLASS | Hobart
Beginners Video class including expanded sections on easy video tricks anyone can do, and how to get your videos online, will begin held at 11 a.m. April 17 at M & M Productions, 227 Center St. Four, 90-minute Saturday classes will also cover camera techniques and video editing. There will be plenty of hands-on activities using professional audio and video equipment. Geared for ages 9 and up, but open to younger children who have an interest and aptitude.
Bring own camera if available, but not necessary. Cost covers class, a text book plus a working film slate for each participant. Early registration is $60 and first day of class cost is $75. If one session fills, another class will be added at 1 p.m.
FYI: Visit m-mproductions.com or call (219) 947-4922.
ONGOING
FINE ARTS FEST | Valparaiso
Valparaiso Community Festivals & Events is looking for visual artists to participate in its juried fine arts area of the Popcorn Festival. The festival is from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 11 in downtown Valparaiso. Applications are available by contacting the Valparaiso Community Festivals & Events office.
FYI: Call (219) 464-8332.
TOPS MEETINGS | Portage
Take Off Pounds Sensibly meets each Friday from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Portage Library.
FYI: Call (219) 728-1830.
ARTISTIC TALENT | Porter County
Valparaiso Community Festivals & Events is looking for local artistic talent. For the second year, artists will have the opportunity to compete and have their artwork featured in the festival’s promotional campaign. The winning entry will receive a $1,000 grand prize as well as significant exposure during the 2010 Popcorn Festival season as the centerpiece on all promotional material. 2nd place will receive a $300 cash prize. All accepted entries will be on display at the new Valparaiso University Harre Union from April 19 to 26. Deadline is noon April 13. Contest details, guidelines and entry forms are available at the Valparaiso Community Festivals & Events office, 162 W. Lincolnway.
FYI: Call (219) 464-8332.
NURSERY SCHOOL REGISTRATION | Valparaiso
ABC Magic Nursery School, a division of Horizon Gymnastics Center, is taking open registration for the 2010 to 2011 school years. The school day begins with a 30-minute class in gymnastics and sports fitness taught by trained gymnastics staff; followed by two hours in the academic classroom with director Linda Dickinson. Registration times are 9 a.m. to 7 p;m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at 1254 Horse Prairie Ave.
FYI: Call (219) 477-6542.
OUTDOOR SOCCER | Portage
Registration is now taking place for Portage Township YMCA’s Outdoor Youth Soccer League. The league is for ages 3-7. Practices will take place during the week with games on Saturday’s. The league runs from April 5 through May 15. Shin guards are recommended. Cost is $25 for Primary Plus Members, $33 for Primary Members and $66 for others.
FYI: Call (21) 762-9622.
MENTAL HEALTH | Valparaiso
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Porter County) offers free support groups and educational programs for those whose lives are touched by mental illness. The support group for adults who suffer from a mental illness as well as their family members and friends meets the second and fourth Thursday of the month. Support group for parents/caregivers of children meets the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. All support groups meet in Valparaiso.
FYI: Call (219) 764-2958.
VENDORS NEEDED | Chesterton
the chesterton's European March will open May 1. This season the market is planning on featuring live artisans performing their craft on a weekly basis. Ideal vendor applicants must include photos of their artwork in progress to ensure quality and ahandmade items and all applications are subject to Jury approval.
FYI: Call (219) 926-5513.
FALL REGISTRATION | Portage
Hope Lutheran Jr. Kindergarten is accepting registration for the 2010-2011 school year which begins Sept. 7 for children who have reached age 4 by Aug. 1. The Christian based jr. kindergarten is located at 6322 Portage Ave. Tuition's $100 a month.
FYI: Call (219) 763-6068.
CAL RIPKEN BASEBALL | Valparaiso
The Valparaiso Department of Parks and Recreation is registering for Cal Ripken baseball, which is open to youth ages 9 through 12 as of April 30. The season will begin on or about May 10 and games will be played weekday evenings and Saturdays at Westside and Kirchhoff Park. The standard fee is $60 per child; the resident discount fee is $50 per child.
FYI: Call (219) 462-5144.
ARTISTS NEEDED | Valparaiso
Valparaiso Community Festivals & Events is looking for visual artists and craftsmen to participate in the new juried fine arts area of the Popcorn Festival. The event is 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 11.
FYI: Call (219) 464-8332.
GOLF PASSES | Valparaiso
Passes for the 2010 season of the golf courses of the Valparaiso Parks & Recreation Department are on sale now. Passes are good for both courses, Creekside and Forest Park. Season pass holders also receive discounts on cart rental, buckets of balls at the range, and pro shop merchandise. Purchase a pass before the end of the year and receive the 2009 price. Passes may be purchased at Creekside Golf Course or the park office.
FYI: Call (219) 531-7888 or (219) 462-5144.
SALSA CLASSES | Valparaiso
Salsa classes are taught on Wednesdays at the Valparaiso International Center, 309 E. Lincolnway.
Dance instructor "The Benny B" offers two classes for all levels. Intro to salsa is 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and intro to salsa and body isolations from 8:30 to 9:20 p.m. Wednesdays. Cost is $8 per class; $65 for 10 classes. Salsa classes at Valparaiso International Center.
FYI: Call (219) 464-1122.
LINE DANCING | Valparaiso
Just Us and Friends line dancing holds beginner line dance lessons from 6 to 7 p.m. every Monday evening at the Valparaiso American Legion, 4 Monroe St. Cost is $4 per student.
FYI: Call (219) 462-3874.
NICOTINE ANONYMOUS GROUP | Valparaiso
Nicotine Anonymous group will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesdays at St. Andrews Church, 505 Bullseye Lake Road.
FYI: Email valponica@gmail.com.
